Bafana Bafana will have their work cut out for them when they face Burkina Faso in their World Cup qualifier on Saturday night (8pm).
Stallions coach Paulo Duarte is confident his team can make mix it up in the tough group that also includes Cape Verde and Senegal for a place at Russia 2018. The Portuguese coach told the Fifa.com his men are determined to make a World Cup debut after missing out to Algeria in 2014.
“Burkina Faso missed out on qualifying for Brazil 2014 by a single goal against Algeria and I think that’s an extra source of motivation going into the upcoming qualifiers. We’ve got a shot at reaching Russia 2018 and we’ve got to seize it this time to make our dream come true. Our group is the most balanced of the lot. Anyone could win it.’
Here are the men he will rely on to put Bafana to the sword:
Bernard Traore
The 21-year-old attacker is being tipped to be one of Africa’s best players in the next few years. And the Chelsea youngster has started the season like a house on fire in his loan spell with Dutch giants Ajax Amsterdam, helping them win six of their eight matches. Traore has 23 caps after making his international debut at 16 and can play across a front three as well as behind the attack.
For Ajax this season, he has been a massive threat from the right. Thulani Serero will have to give his teammates the inside scoop on the kid after seeing him in training.
Aristide Bance
Bance is an experienced target man who will keep Bafana's defence busy. He will chase every lost cause and shield the ball with his 1.93m frame. At 32-years old, he will have lost some pace, but he will be happy to see some of Bafana’s defenders.
Bance will be familiar with the South Africans, having played for Chippa United for two seasons before joining Latvian club Riga FC this year. But it should work the other way around too, with the likes of Eric Mathoho, Ramahlwe Mphahlele and Abbubaker Mobara having battled with him at close quarters.
Jonathan Pitroipa
He is the Stallions main man without a doubt. The tricky winger showed just how good he is in the 2013 Afcon tournament in South Africa, leading the Burkinabe to the final, where they were beaten by Nigeria.
The 30-year-old will be looking to add to his 14 international goals and the SA fullbacks will have to be on their toes to stop him threatening Itumeleng Khune’s goals.
The Star